Park Neung-hoo: "Apology from Some Medical Students Will Not Increase Public Acceptance of Retaking the National Medical Exam"

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo appeared at the Health and Welfare Committee of the National Assembly on the 7th for the audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and took the oath as a witness. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated that the apology from some medical school students would not increase public acceptance of additional applications for the national medical licensing examination (Kuksi).

At the Health and Welfare Committee's audit held at the National Assembly on the 7th, in response to a question from Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the apology letter from medical students posted on the Blue House's public petition site, Minister Park said, "I have been closely monitoring the internet. I think it is a sincere apology," but added, "I don't think the acceptance of additional applications for the national exam by the public will increase due to the apology of a few individuals."

So far, the government has expressed the position that it is difficult to grant additional application opportunities without public understanding, as issues of fairness and equity with other national exams may arise.

Regarding the medical gap caused by medical students not taking the exam, Minister Park said, "We are separately preparing for the shortage of medical personnel in case of an emergency," and added, "Based on estimates, if medical licenses are not properly issued this year, the shortage of public medical personnel would be around 400."

Minister Park stated, "We are considering adjusting personnel allocation mainly in areas where existing medical personnel are present and new doctors are not necessarily required, and enabling residents and specialized nurses to act as medical assistants," and added, "Furthermore, we plan to significantly increase inpatient care staff to substitute for the role of interns."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.